For the Supporters' Shield frontrunning Seattle Sounders, this stretch of the season will likely prove pivotal in their grand scheme for silverware. The Sounders have eight games over the next month, starting with Monday’s clash against the LA Galaxy (10 pm ET, ESPN2/ESPN Deportes, TSN2 in Canada, match preview). But at the time of year when Bruce Arena’s squads usually start to kick into gear, Seattle face a real test to their first-place credentials.

You know what you get with a Peter Vermes team. One of Sporting Kansas City’s strongest character traits is their steadfast, sheer refusal to ever pack it in. That was key in their championship run last year, when they went behind in all but two of their playoff games. Against Toronto FC, SKC showed that same kind of resolution, going a goal behind, losing Matt Besler to a red card, and still emerging 2-1 winners (watch highlights here).

While Henry hogged the spotlight on Saturday, Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem was more of a novelty. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., the 17-year-old Zelalem's international future (he is eligible to play for Germany, Ethiopia or the US) had already been much discussed, but he let his play do the talking for 45 minutes, with a lot of pressure and mixed reviews.

Life in São Paulo may not have started well for Kaká from a team perspective, as hometown club São Paulo FC, where he is on loan prior to joining Orlando City next season, lost 2-1 to Goias. But the World Cup winner netted São Paulo’s only goal, finishing from close range with his left foot. Get ready MLS.

He was one of the faces – literally – of the 2014 World Cup. Algeria goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi’s facial expressions in Algeria’s Round of 16 loss to Germany sparked a string of memes, but the CSKA Moscow No. 1 also showed how good a shot-stopper he is. Will M’Bolhi be joining Philadelphia for a six-figure transfer fee (FRENCH), and what would his arrival mean for Zac MacMath?

14. LAMPARD ON TOUR

The Australian press seem unsure of whether Lampard will spend the second half of 2014 on loan at affiliated club Melbourne City alongside fellow NYCFC signing David Villa. It’s a long way to go to get a game.

15. INVISIBLE SUPERSTAR

In Mexico, Vicente Sanchez is a rock star. Having spent eight years playing for two of the country’s biggest clubs (Toluca and Club América), the Uruguayan forward is a well-known face in the land of El Tri. But in Colorado, he enjoys walking the streets in peace.